Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Designspark Mechanical VS SolveSpace

Compare Designspark Mechanical VS SolveSpace and see what are their differences

Designspark Mechanical logo Designspark Mechanical

Design and make things in 3D like never before. DesignSpark Mechanical is a free mechanical CAD software, which enables users to rapidly prototype or reverse engineer any physical object.

SolveSpace logo SolveSpace

SOLVESPACE is a parametric 3D CAD program with extrude, revolve, union and difference functions.
  • Designspark Mechanical Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25
  • SolveSpace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-20

Designspark Mechanical features and specs

  • Cost-effective
    DesignSpark Mechanical is free to use, making it a cost-effective solution for individuals and small businesses without a budget for expensive CAD software.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which is ideal for beginners and helps reduce the learning curve associated with 3D modeling.
  • Direct Modeling
    DesignSpark Mechanical allows for direct modeling, which lets users interact with 3D designs directly and make quick edits without the need for extensive training.
  • Integration with RS Components
    The software integrates seamlessly with RS Components, offering access to a vast library of components and a convenient way to order parts directly.
  • Collaboration and Sharing
    It offers features for easy file sharing and collaboration, enabling teamwork and communication among users working on the same project.

Possible disadvantages of Designspark Mechanical

  • Limited Advanced Features
    DesignSpark Mechanical lacks some advanced features found in more comprehensive CAD systems, potentially limiting its use for complex projects.
  • Not Parametric
    The software does not support parametric modeling, which means that users can't easily adjust dimensions in a way that automatically updates the entire model.
  • Windows Only
    DesignSpark Mechanical is only available for Windows, which can be a limitation for users who prefer other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users report performance issues with large files or complex models, which can affect the efficiency and usability of the software.
  • Limited File Import/Export Options
    The software's import and export capabilities are limited, which can be a problem when trying to work with files from different CAD platforms.

SolveSpace features and specs

  • Open Source
    SolveSpace is open-source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This encourages community contributions and allows users to customize the software to their needs.
  • Lightweight
    The software is relatively lightweight compared to other CAD programs, making it suitable for older systems or for users who prefer a minimal footprint.
  • Parametric Modeling
    SolveSpace offers parametric modeling, allowing users to define geometric constraints and dimensions that can easily be adjusted to alter the design.
  • Cross-Platform
    SolveSpace is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, enhancing accessibility for users on different operating systems.
  • 2D and 3D Design
    The software supports both 2D and 3D design capabilities, making it versatile for various design projects ranging from basic sketches to complex 3D models.

Possible disadvantages of SolveSpace

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced and commercial CAD software, SolveSpace has limited features that might be insufficient for complex engineering projects.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of SolveSpace might seem outdated or less intuitive to users accustomed to more modern design environments.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a steep learning curve due to the program's unconventional approach and lack of comprehensive documentation or tutorials.
  • Performance
    While lightweight, SolveSpace can struggle with performance issues when handling complex or large 3D models, which may affect users working on detailed projects.
  • Limited Community Support
    As a lesser-known tool, the community around SolveSpace is smaller, which could lead to challenges in finding help or resources for troubleshooting.

Designspark Mechanical videos

5 Reasons to use DesignSpark Mechanical | RS Components

More videos:

  • Review - DesignSpark Mechanical Review
  • Review - DesignSpark Mechanical Training | 1 Familiarisation

SolveSpace videos

Solvespace Tutorial 0: Basics and User Interface

More videos:

  • Demo - SOLVESPACE 2.0 demo
  • Tutorial - Solvespace Tutorial 1 - a Simple Plate

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Designspark Mechanical and SolveSpace)
3D
42 42%
58% 58
CAD
47 47%
53% 53
Architecture
29 29%
71% 71
3D Modeling
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Designspark Mechanical and SolveSpace. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SolveSpace seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 23 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Designspark Mechanical mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Designspark Mechanical yet. Tracking of Designspark Mechanical recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SolveSpace mentions (23)

  • Ink and Switch Constraint System (2023)
    The comment on constraints which still blows me away is the footnote on the readme for Dune 3D: https://github.com/dune3d/dune3d Probably a bit more approachable for folks is: https://www.cadsketcher.com/ which adds the Solvespace constraint solver to Blender. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: A playable game of Tetris inside a PDF
    >> I do wish I did pay some attention to CAD now. I want a 3D printer and have no idea how to design objects for it. Get Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl Do the tutorials. If/when you outgrow it, the concepts will carry over to FreeCAD which otherwise has a steeper learning curve but has more capabilities. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • I Revived 3-Axis CNC Mill G-Code Simulator
    > - Solvespace --- limited to 2D last I checked According to https://solvespace.com/index.pl "SOLVESPACE -- parametric 2d/3d CAD" "SOLVESPACE is a free (GPLv3) parametric 3d CAD tool. Applications include: - modeling 3d parts — draw with extrudes, revolves, helixes and Boolean (union / difference / intersection) operations [...] - 3d-printed parts — export the STL or other triangle mesh expected by most 3d printers". - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Herbgrind analyzes binaries to find inaccurate floating point expressions
    Is it feasible to run this on something large like Solvespace[1] (CAD) which is ~5MB executable? Or would we just get an insanely long list of issues? [1] https://solvespace.com/index.pl There are hundreds of numerical algorithms in there, and we have some bugs that might be related to this kind of implementation error. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Math and Motion: A Look at Chebyshev’s Works on Linkages
    If you want to quickly sketch and simulate the motion of linkages, I can recommend using Solvespace: https://solvespace.com/index.pl. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Designspark Mechanical and SolveSpace, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

OpenSCAD - OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

SolidWorks - Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. develops and markets 3D CAD design software, analysis software, and product data management software. SolidWorks is the leading supplier of 3D CAD product design engineering software.

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

SketchUp - 3D for Everyone

Solid Edge - Solid Edge is an industry-leading mechanical design system with exceptional tools for creating and...